< Introducing The South and the Islands

Accommodation

Family Guide
The tranquil garden and swimming pool of Costantinopoli 104 hotel in Naples
Italy has a fabulous range of places to stay, from historic palaces to converted farmhouses. Although children are very welcome, Italy does not specialize in family-friendly hotels. The Italian ethos celebrates children rather than catering specifically to them, but there are great family options in rural agriturismi, self-catering city apartments and country villas and farmhouses, while religious institutions and camp sites offer budget choices.

Hotels

Italian hotels range from patrician villas to purpose-built towers, as well as everything in between. The Italian terms albergo, locanda and pensione are interchangeable translations of “hotel”. There is an official grading system from one to five stars, although this indicates the presence of facilities such as lifts or TVs rather than overall quality and charm. Prices vary between the south and north of the country, as well as between tourist hotspots (cities are more expensive) and less-visited areas. Air conditioning is not always available. Some cheaper hotels in cities may not have lifts.
Most hotels close between October and Easter outside the cities and main tourist locations. Many hotels insist that stays are a minimum of two or three nights during August and some may insist on full board or half board in peak season. A large room may be sold as a family room (camera familiare), and an extra bed (letto extra) or cot (lettino) can usually be added for a supplement, but it is important to notify the hotel about this at the time of reservation. Many hotels and most B&Bs will mainly have showers not bathtubs. Parents with small children for whom “bathtime” is important should ask for a bath (vasca da bagno).
Online agency Italy Family Hotels has a list of hotels on the coast offering child-friendly facilities such as kids’ clubs, children’s menus and play areas.

www.bridgewater-travel.co.uk

www.friendlyrentals.com

www.giocovacanza.it

www.guestinitaly.com

www.i-escape.com

www.iliostravel.com

www.italian-connection.co.uk

www.italyfamilyhotels.it

www.long-travel.co.uk

www.venere.com

B&Bs

There are a large number of bed and breakfasts across the country. Rooms in homes, they range from cosy bedrooms with a shared bath-room in a historic city centre palazzo to self-contained apartments.

Agriturismi

The agriturismo scheme covers a multitude of rural farmstay options, from a bedroom in a farmhouse to a converted outhouse with kitchen on a working wine estate. They are a wonderful way to relax into Italian rural life and a truly family-friendly experience. Grounds may extend from a garden with a play area to olive groves and mountain pastures, and many have pools. Often the hospitable owners grow and cook delicious food and can organize horse-riding and other activities.

Self-catering

The freedom of self-catering is attractive to families: not only to save on restaurants and have more flexibility, but also to enjoy shopping at local markets and supermarkets, which is fun for all. Converted farmhouses, mansions and villas are available for rent across the region, although bargains are hard to find.
For families planning to holiday together, sharing a large villa may be more economical. Weekly rental prices can as much as double in high season (July and August). It is a good idea to book well in advance, although there are sometimes last-minute deals available. A hire car is almost always a necessity with rural self-catering.
Residenze (“residences”) can be a good alternative option in holiday areas, where several small, well-equipped apartments with kitchenettes share facilities such as gardens, a pool or a private beach. They are a perfect blend of the independence of self-catering and the facilities of a hotel, and often have delivery arrangements with local food shops and pizzerie. They may also offer children the chance to make holiday friends.


Monasteries

A budget alternative is to take advantage of the hundreds of religious properties across Italy that now rent out en-suite rooms. They tend to be quite basic, but very clean, and are sometimes in stunning old monasteries and convents in hard-to-beat locations. A good one-stop shop is the online agency Monastery Stays.

Camping

On the whole, camping in Italy is a highly structured experience; while it may offer a cheap and relaxed way to stay in some stunning locations, by the waterside or near historic cities, it is usually far from wilderness camping. On the coast and around the lakes most camp sites are mini-resorts boasting cafés, supermarkets, pools and, more often than not, cabaret entertainment. Apart from the all-in-one convenience, kids’ clubs are an added attraction for some families and there are usually plenty of other children around for company. Language barriers tend to melt away pretty quickly. In the mountainous areas of Italy, camp sites are often much more low key, offering a better chance to enjoy the landscape undisturbed.
Camper vans are popular in Italy. A four-bed van with unlimited mileage will cost around €900 per week in high season (see also Camper van hire).